Adjustable closure means



9 1%? LE ROY R. MALECK ADJUSTABLE CLOSURE MEANS Filed Aug. 2, 1965INVENTOR.

Le Roy H. Ma/ec/r A My.

United States Patent 3,306,645 ADJUSTABLE CLOSURE MEANS Le Roy R.Maleck, Galesburg, Ill., assignor to Admiral Corporation, Chicago, 11].,a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 2, 1965, Ser. No. 476,557 Claims.(Cl. 292-275) This invention relates in general to a manually adjustableholdfast or clasp, and in particular to a movable tape for selectivelypositioning and limiting the movement of a panel or doorlike closuremember. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a frictionclasp for retaining. a hinged panel or door, such as a ventilation panellocated at the front of a window-type air conditioner, in any presetposition. The friction clasp is easily manufactured (a major portionpreferably as a part of the frame supporting the hinged panel), istrouble free, and is not likely to rattle, wear out, or requireadjustment.

It is sometimes desirable to provide a room size window air conditionerwith a manually adjustable ventilation panel for varying the quantity ofroom air to be mixed with fresh air entering from outside the room. Theventilation panel could conceivably be retained in a preset butadjustable position by a friction type hinge, a detented latch, a rigidsliding latch, or other type of positioning device. These positioningdevices are often complicated, diflicult to manufacture, expensive, andin some instances offer only a limited number of adjustable positions.In addition, an important disadvantage to some positioning devices istheir physical size and the additional space they require for optimumoperation. The additional space is usually of some consideration in anytype of functional apparatus, but it is of prime consideration inappliance design, especially window air conditioners.

This invention overcomes many of the objections and deficiencies of theheretofore mentioned positioning devices. A friction clasp typepositioning device constructed in accordance with the teachings of thisinvention is economical, of the utmost simplicity, is easilymanufactured as part of the decorative front grill, and provides theventilation panel with'an unlimited number of adjustable positions. Inaddition, due to its unique construction, the friction clasp isrelatively small in size and requires only a very samll cabinet depthfor operation. Adequate operation, despite the small depth required, ispossible because of utilization of a vertical area behind the decorativegrill above the friction clasp.

A friction clasp constructed in accordance with the teachings of thisinvention utilizes only a single moving element in addition to theventilation panel itself. In operation, its positioning or claspingcharacteristics result from friction between the single moving elementand a guide track, the latter being preferably formed integral with thedecorative grill. The friction clasp of the yet to be described designalso provides means integral therewith for limiting total panelmovement.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a simple, economical,and trouble free friction clasp for retaining a hinged panel in anyselected position.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved clasp forlimiting the movement of a hinged panel.

A further object of this invention is to provide a friction clasp forselectively positioning a hinged panel where- 3,306,645 Patented Feb.28, 1967 in the clasp is relatively small in depth, trouble free inoperation, and resistant to noise from vibration.

A feature of this invention resides in the use of a very flexible andresilient steel tape which comprises the only moving part of themechanism.

The primary advantage of this invention resides in the ability to reducethe horizontal depth required for adequate operation while providing alow cost, reliable friction clasp.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent uponan examination of the following description taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a window type air conditioningunit in which the present invention is included.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the invention wherein allhidden portions are shown by dashed lines.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross section of the steel tape incorporated inthe invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of an alternate embodiment of theinvention wherein dashed lines are also used to illustrate hiddenportions.

The window-type air conditioner, as will be particularly noted in FIG.1, comprises an outer body 2 to the front of which is secured adecorative grill or frame 4. The frame 4 defines an opening 6, having alower edge 7, through which room air may be drawn for cooling andsubsequent recirculation in a manner well known in the art. An upperedge 8 of opening 6 is provided with any type of commonly used hinge 10for pivotally securing a ventilation panel 12 thereto. Ventilation panel12 may be pivoted outwardly as shown in FIG. 1 for varying the volume ofroom air recirculated through the air conditioner.

A friction clasp, generally referred to by reference numeral 14, isaflixed to lower edge 7 of opening 6 for limiting the outward movementof panel 12 and selectively retaining it in any desired position. Asbest seen in FIG. 2, which illustrates the right hand friction claspshown in phantom in FIG. 1, friction clasp 14 comprises a tape guidegenerally referred to by numeral 16 and a resilient metal tape 18threaded therethrough. Tape guide 16 includes a base plate 20 having aforward end secured atop lower edge 7. A back support 22 is positionedabove but slightly behind the base plate and is supported by a pair ofuprights 23. Uprights 23 also support a tape retaining bar 24 positionedforwardly of the back supports and above the base plate, thereby forminga narrow window 25. A side wall 26 is provided to insure rigidity of thetape guide and assist in fastening it to frame 4.

Resilient tape 18 has an arcuate cross section (clearly shown in FIG.3), which is easily deform-able, identical to the steel tape commonlyused in steel tape measuring reels. The resilient tape is threadedthrough tape guide 16 by inserting a first end 27 over the base plateand through window 25, then deforming it substantially and sliding itbehind retaining bar 24 but in front of the back support. The; tape isalso deformed at the apex of its 90 bend and assumes a flattened ratherthan arcuate cross section. The tape may now be urged through the tapeguide as far as necessary.

When the steel tape is threaded through the tape guide and deformed intoa 90 configuration, its natural resilience attempts to restore it backto its original shape, that is, planar with an arcuate cross section.Concurrently the resilience, or energy stored within the metal upondeformation, causes the tape to exert a normal force against the baseplate, back Wall, and retaining bar, at the points of contact with thetape. A specific coefficient of friction also exists between the tapeand the material it contacts, which tends to resist movements of thetape through the tape guide. Naturally, the tape may be moved throughthe guide by exerting a sufficient force on it to overcome thefrictional resistance.

A second end 28 of resilient tape 18 is provided with an aperture 30 anda threaded fastener 32 for securing this end to a tab 34 protruding frompanel 12. A force exerted on panel 12, to adjust it to another positionis transmitted to the steel tape through tab 34, and if of sufficientmagnitude to overcome the resistive friction, movement is imparted tothe tape.

The arcuate cross section of the tape is desirable to prevent bucklingor bending of the length of tape between the tape guide and the tab.This cross section also increases the effective tape thickness, thusproviding a tighter fit within the tape guide and a correspondingreduction of noise from vibration. A low noise level is especiallyimportant in a window air conditioner which depends upon rotation of aheavy motor for operation, yet is required to be relatively quiet whilefunctioning, such as for sleep- First end 27 of resilient tape 18 isalso provided with an aperture 38. A rivet 40 or the like is insertedinto aperture 38 after the resilient tape has been threaded through thetape guide. The rivet prevents the tape from unthreading from the guidethus limiting movement of the panel in an outward direction. When thepanel is fully extended, rivet 40 abuts against the top edge of backsupport 22.

In some applications of this novel friction clasp where cabinet depth isless critical than height, a second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 maybe more desirable. This embodiment utilizes a tape guide comprising abase 49 which may also be secured to frame 4 and three support blocks. Afirst support block 50 is secured to the front of the frame andresilient tape 18 threaded thereunder. The resilient tape is thenthreaded over a second support block 52, having a top surface slightlyhigher than the bottom surface of the first support block. The tape isfinally threaded under a third support block 54 positioned to the rearof and slightly below the second block. After the tape is threadedthrough the support blocks it is slightly bowed, its cross section isflattened, and its resilience again establishes a friction which resiststape movement. A rivet 55 is provided to limit tape movement and thetotal operation is very similar to that of the first embodiment.

It should be understood that more than one friction clasp of either orboth embodiments may be used if the movable member is of sufficient sizeto so require.

In either embodiment of the invention herein described a single movableelement, namely the resilient tape, is required to selectively adjust ahinged panel in any desired position. Naturally, the friction clasp Willkeep the panel in a closed position when it is not desired to operatethe air conditioner. In addition, the invention utilizes one principalelement which may be molded as an integral part of the frame, and asecond element which is commercially available at a low cost due to itsuse in the manufacture of steel tape measures.

Many modifications and alterations of the invention, far different bothin appearance and details of construction from the embodiment hereinillustrated but nevertheless utilizing the basic teachings of theinvention, will be readily apparent or devised upon study by personsskilled in the art. Accordingly, the scope of protection to be afford- 4ed should not be limited by the particular embodiment illustrated anddescribed, but should be determined from the description of the essenceof the invention which appear in the appended claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In combination: a panel hinged to and supported by a frame; asubstantially right angle guide track including a first frictionsurface, a second friction surface at substantially a right angle tosaid first friction surface, and a retaining bar; a resilient anddeformable friction member threaded for movement through said guidetrack; said friction member having an upper side in frictional contactwith said retaining bar and a lower side in frictional contact with saidfirst and second friction surfaces; means limiting movement of saidfriction member in one direction, and further means securing an end ofsaid friction member to said panel, whereby said panel may beselectively retained in any position.

2. In combination: a panel hinged to a frame; a resilient frictionmember; a guide track secured to said frame for guiding said resilientfriction member and including a first friction surface, a secondfriction surface orientated thereto, and a friction member retainingbar; said resilient friction member movable through said guide track andhaving one side in frictional contact with said retaining bar, and anopposite side in frictional contact with said first and second frictionsurfaces, said friction member thereby deforming substantially 90responsive to movement through said track; means limiting movement ofsaid friction member in one direction for preventing unthreading thereoffrom said guide track; and means securing an end of said friction memberto said panel whereby said panel may be selectively retained in anyposition.

3. In combination: a closure structure including first and secondelements arranged for respective pivotal movement; a guide track securedto said first element for guiding said resilient friction member andincluding a first friction surface, a second friction surface orientated90 thereto, and a friction member retaining bar; said friction membermovable through said guide track and having one side in frictionalcontact with said retaining bar, and an opposite side in frictionalcontact with said first and second friction surfaces, said frictionmember thereby deforming substantially 90 responsive to movement throughsaid track; means limiting movement of said friction member in onedirection for preventing unthreading thereof from said guide track; andmeans securing an end of said friction member to said second element,whereby said first and second elements may be selectively adjusted toany number of positions relative to each other.

4. A friction tape for use in selectively supporting a hinged vent panelin an air conditioner comprising: a panel hinged to a frame; a guidetnack secured to said frame and including a base, a back supportorientated substantially 90 to said base, and a tape retaining barinterior thereof; a resilient tape having an arcuate cross section witha first side frictionally contacting said base and said back support,and a second side frictionally contacting said retaining bar; saidresilient tape also having one end secured to said panel, an oppositeend including means limiting movement thereof, and a portionintermediate said ends; said intermediate portion deformingsubstantially 90 to conform to said guide track and movable therethroughresponsive to a force applied to said panel, said tape therebyfrictionally supporting said panel in any selective position.

5. A friction tape for use in selectively adjusting a hinged vent panelin an air conditioner comprising: a panel hinged to a frame; a guidetnack secured to said frame and including a base, a back supportorientated substantially 90 to said base, and a tape retaining barinterior thereof; a tape of arcuate cross-section threaded through saidguide track against said retaining bar and having a first and extendingin a vertical direction including means limiting movement thereof, asecond end extending in a horizontal direction secured to said panel,and a deformable portion intermediate said first and second endsconforming substantially to said guide track; said tape having resilientproperties and exerting substantially normal forces against said baseand said back support thereby establishing a frictional force forresisting movement of said tape through said guide track and retainingsaid panel in any preset position, whereby said preset position may bevaried responsive to a horizontal force on said panel of sufficientmagnitude to overcome said frictional force.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS EDWARD C. ALLEN,Primary Examiner.

RICHARD E. MOORE, Examiner.

1. IN COMBINATION: A PANEL HINGED TO AND SUPPORTED BY A FRAME; A SUBSTANTIALLY RIGHT ANGLE GUIDE TRACK INCLUDING A FIRST FRICTION SURFACE, A SECOND FRICTION SURFACE AT SUBSTANTIALLY A RIGHT ANGLE TO SAID FIRST FRICTION SURFACE, AND A RETAINING BAR; A RESILIENT AND DEFORMABLE FRICTION MEMBER THREADED FOR MOVEMENT THROUGH SAID GUIDE TRACK; SAID FRICTION MEMBER HAVING AN UPPER SIDE IN FRICTIONAL CONTACT WITH SAID RETAINING BAR AND A LOWER SIDE IN FRICTIONAL CONTACT WITH SAID FIRST AND SECOND FRICTION SURFACES; MEANS LIMITING MOVEMENT OF SAID FRICTION MEMBER IN ONE DIRECTION, AND FURTHER MEANS SECURING AN END OF SAID FRICTION MEMBER TO SAID PANEL, WHEREBY SAID PANEL MAY BE SELECTIVELY RETAINED IN ANY POSITION. 